Dealmakers Impact Report 2011: Up Next

Matthys oversees the team of business affairs execs who handle all talent and producer deals, licensing deals, development and series pick-ups as well as new business deals for Universal Cable Productions (UCP), USA Network and the Syfy channel.

“Being involved in UCP and its growth has been very exciting as it has expanded beyond supplying USA and Syfy to supplying the rest of the TV landscape,” he reports.

UCP recently got orders from MTV for the series “I Just Want My Pants Back,” representing the first time it’s negotiated a commitment from a network outside the NBC Universal portfolio, and Matthys’ team handled the series renewals for “Covert Affairs,” “Suits,” “Necessary Roughness” and “Royal Pains” over at USA Network, which this summer enjoyed its highest ratings ever.

“It’s a great time to be in cable, and the business model is still really strong and expanding,” he adds, “so it’s also a great time to be a dealmaker.”